The Girl on the Boat

Plot

The Girl on the Boat is a novel by P. G. Wodehouse. It first appeared in 1921 as a serial in the Woman's Home Companion in the United States under the title Three Men and a Maid.

The maid of the title is red-haired, dog-loving Wilhelmina "Billie" Bennett, and the three men are:
Bream Mortimer, a long-time friend and suitor of Billie
Eustace Hignett, a shy poet who is engaged to Billie at the opening of the tale
Sam Marlowe, Eustace's dashing cousin, who falls in love with Billie "at first sight"

The four of them find themselves together on an ocean liner sailing for England. Also on board is a capable young woman, Jane Hubbard, who is in love with Eustace. Wodehousian funny stuff ensues, with happy endings for all except Bream Mortimer.